Book Review & Giveaway: The Gifts of Imperfection

I recently did three posts on the topic of authenticity {if you haven't already, you can read them here, here, and here}. While I was reading the book Friendship for Grown-Up's, I was simultaneously reading a book entitled The Gifts of Imperfection. While Friendship for Grown-Up's was written from a Christian perspective, The Gifts of Imperfection, still offered up some valuable substance although it didn't share the same spiritual connotations.

In the book, The Gifts of Imperfection, the author {Dr. Brene Brown}, outlines ten guideposts that engages readers in understanding that perfection simply isn't unattainable. That this thing called life is a challenge to us all - no matter who shows all their cards, or who doesn't. That, at the end of the day, no matter what gets done, and how much is left undone, we should all feel that we are enough.

In Guideposts 1 {Cultivating Authenticity}, some of the things that really stuck out to me were:

Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are.

Choosing Authenticity means:

• Cultivating the courage to be imperfect, to set boundaries, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable.
  
• Exercising the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle.
  
• Nurturing the connection and sense of belonging that can only happen when we believe that we are enough.

Guidepost 2 {Cultivating Self-Compassion} particularly stood out to me because this is another area in my own life that I am wanting to pay more attention to. As a stay-at-home mom and wife, my "perfect" day would be a day in which time spent with God is the opener of the day, a baby that is happy and content at all times, the house has been thouroughly cleaned, laundry {if there is any} has been washed/dryed/folded/put away, items on my to-do list are rapidly being checked off, excercise has been made a priority, dinner is ready right when my husband comes home from work....I could go on. And while although my desire is to be concious of the above things as I am going about my day, the fact of the matter is that there are days that I fall short. Some days I just can't {or don't want to} get around to it all. Which at the end of the day leaves me feeling frusterated at myself for falling short. Reading The Gifts of Imperfection made me see that I don't extend grace my way very much.

In Guidepost 2 some of the things that stuck out to me were:

Myths about Perfectionism:

• Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best.


• Perfectionism is a twenty pound shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us, when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from taking flight.


• Somewhere along the way, we adopted this dangerous and debilitating belief system: I am what I accomplish and how well I accomplish it. Please. Perform. Perfect.


• Perfectionism is other focused - What will they think?


• Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfectionism is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception - we want to be perceived as perfect.


• "A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the entire course of your life." - Christopher K. Germer


• When we're kind to ourselves, we create a reservoir of compassion that we can extend to others. Our children learn how to be compassionate by watching us, and the people around us feel free to be authentic and connected.

I found this book to be an easy read, full of personal stories told from a light-hearted place, and while although I could have done without the small bouts of mild profanity, the book served as a reminder that life is meant to be lived whole heartedly - that we aren't meant to pick ourselves {or others} a part at the seams.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me courtesy of TLC Book Tours free of charge in exchange for a review, however, that did not influence my personal review of this book.

GIVEAWAY!

Would you like your own copy of The Gifts of Imperfection? All you need to do is leave a comment letting me know how it would benefit you to have this book on your shelf! Note: 1 entry per person. If you leave more than one comment, only your first comment will count.

This giveaway will end on Friday, October 15th at 12:00 Noon EST. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced by 5:00 p.m. that same day! The winner will be posted here, and will also be emailed - so be sure that you have a valid email address on your blogger profile or relay it in within the comment section. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Giveaway open to US/Canada only.

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For more information about Dr. Brene Brown, check out the following:

Blog: No Ordinary Courage

Website: Brene Brown

Twitter: @BreneBrown

The Gifts of Imperfection is for sale on Amazon here. And at Barnes & Noble here.